AUSTIN, TX – After watching their huge halftime lead slowly evaporate in the second half, a key lesson was reinforced for the Florida Gators: no lead is ever safe in the NCAA Tournament.
Leading 48-27 at the half, the 3rd-seeded Gators allowed 11th-seeded Minnesota to shave the deficit to as few as seven, before eventually pulling away for a 78-64 victory to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive season. Florida could be in store for an intrastate showdown with 15th-seeded Florida Gulf Coast on Friday in Texas, depending on the result of the Eagles’ matchup against San Diego State.
Mike Rosario led the Gators’ attack with 25 points, including 6-for-9 marksmanship from beyond the arc. Andre Hollins had 25 points and five rebounds for the Gophers, who became just the second team from the Big Ten (along with Wisconsin) to be eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Wayne Larrivee and Reid Gettys called the action on Westwood One Sports.
(Rosario hits back-to-back treys to snap early tie)
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(Murphy gets into the act as Gators double up Gophers, 30-15)
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(Murphy with another three, followed by Prather monster alley-oop)
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(Minnesota fights back, as Hollins hits a three to cut deficit to ten)
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(Wilbekin hits big shot to end Minnesota’s 19-5 run)
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(Yeguete with a pair off beautiful feed from Wilbekin)
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(Postgame interview with Florida’s Scottie Wilbekin)
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(Austin wrap-up with Wayne Larrivee and Reid Gettys)
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For our complete NCAA Tournament schedule, CLICK HERE.